Forward operations were to drill ahead to about 350 metres, then set 13.375-inch inch casing, BSOC said.

“The Maclean-1 well is programmed to be drilled vertically with a total depth of approximately 771 metres,” the company said.

“On current scheduling, the well should reach the target zones in the Latrobe Group sandstones later this week.”

Maclean-1 well is located in permit Vic/P47 in the offshore Gippsland Basin.

Participants in the well and the Vic/P47 joint venture are: Bass Strait Oil Company Ltd, operator (BAS) 40%, Moby Oil & Gas Limited (MOG) 35% and Eagle Bay Resources NL (EBR) 25%.

In the Cooper Basin, South Australia operator Stuart Petroleum reports that the Worrior-3 oil development well in PEL 93 / PPL 207 is drilling ahead and is close to total depth.

“Good shows were noted from the Murta and McKinlay and the well will be evaluated by wireline logs. Drillstem test will be run if required,” Stuart said.

At 6am this morning (South Australian time) Worrior-3 was at 1738 metres. Planned total depth is 1764 meters.

Participants in the Worrior-3 well are: Stuart Petroleum Limited (STU operator and 70% and Cooper Energy Limited (COE) 30%.

Meanwhile in the onshore Perth Basin, operator Arc Energy Limited reports that at 6am (Western Australian time) the exploration well Bartsia 1 in onshore production licence L2 had not encountered any hydrocarbons.

“Arc has recommended to the joint venture that the well now be plugged back and sidetracked to test the adjacent Kunzia prospect,” the company said.

“This operation is expected to take approximately five days.”

Participants in L1 and L2 (excluding the Dongara, Mondarra and Yardarino fields) and Bartsia-1 are: Arc Energy Limited 50% (operator) and Origin Energy Developments Pty Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Origin Energy Limited) 50%.